Where Islam spreads, freedom dies

Richard Landes had a good article in the Telegraph yesterday about how hysterical and irrational divisions between Left and Right were making it impossible to have a mature discussion about the threat Islam poses to the western world.

As a result of this animosity, the adversarial “Right-Left” axis has reached dysfunctional proportions. The “Left” views the right as at best mean-spirited, increasingly as malevolent; the “Right” views the Left as traitors and fools, as useful infidels. ...And in the meantime, our disarray fills the sails of our apocalyptic enemy.

There seems to be something in the human psyche that locks it into binary oppositional mode. People become so obsessed with their own perceived opponents within a two-party dynamic that they are no longer able to make rational, objective judgements about where the true threat lies.

What Landes doesn't mention is that this type of paralysis resulting from internal division is nothing new. Mohammedan invaders have often been able to exploit it to their advantage. Consider the estrangement of the Copts in Egypt from Byzantium, for example.

The secession of the great majority of the Copts from what was generally considered the orthodox Church gave rise to an implacable enmity between them and the Greeks, under whom they suffered much persecution, and with whom they would no longer even contract marriages. This enmity was, of course, more bitter on the part of the Copts; they received the Arab invaders of their country, and united with them to expel the Greeks. Their revenge was gratified; but they were made to bow their necks to a heavier yoke.

Source: An Account of the Manners and Customs of the Modern Egyptians Written in Egypt during the Years 1833-1835, Edward William Lane

Look at the Copts now.

Christians in the Upper Egyptian village of Elmarinab in Edfu, Aswan province, have been forbidden to leave their homes or buy food until they remove the dome of St. George's Church, which was rebuilt in its previous location. Village Muslims, backed by Muslim Salafists from neighboring villages, have threatened to demolish the church on Friday September 9 after prayers and use it as a mosque.

Despite the presence of security forces, Muslims have blocked the roads to the village, refusing passage of any Christians under any circumstance.

Of course, when the leftists finally wake up to their monumental folly in inviting these people in, there could be a certain amount of Schadenfreude for any Counterjihadists still around. But that will be meagre compensation. Because our civilisation will be gone.